Hospital games
April 4, 2022 12:03 PM Subscribe
I’m going to be an out-patient at the hospital soon and will be confined to bed for most of a day while waiting for and recovering from a procedure. What extremely portable, two-person games can my companion and I play to pass the time?
I am lucky to have a dear friend who will be at the hospital with me, and who will be able to wait with me before and after the procedure. I’m looking for any small, portable games that we can play that will distract me, can be easily interrupted by hospital personnel coming in and out, and that will help make the time pass more quickly for both of us.
I’ve had this procedure before and I know that I’ll be able to engage with my friend. I’m NOT looking for Scrabble or any other type of board game with lots of pieces. Obviously nothing loud or that requires moving around. Nothing too serious or deep-thinking. We already know about all the typical card games and would like something different. Maybe some sort of low-stakes trivia card game? Bonus points if it’s available online.
I am lucky to have a dear friend who will be at the hospital with me, and who will be able to wait with me before and after the procedure. I’m looking for any small, portable games that we can play that will distract me, can be easily interrupted by hospital personnel coming in and out, and that will help make the time pass more quickly for both of us.
I’ve had this procedure before and I know that I’ll be able to engage with my friend. I’m NOT looking for Scrabble or any other type of board game with lots of pieces. Obviously nothing loud or that requires moving around. Nothing too serious or deep-thinking. We already know about all the typical card games and would like something different. Maybe some sort of low-stakes trivia card game? Bonus points if it’s available online.
Crosswords or other word games on a tablet? I know doing crosswords as a pair isn't everyone's style, but my husband and I do them together and it's quite nice.
posted by obfuscation at 12:06 PM on April 4, 2022
posted by obfuscation at 12:06 PM on April 4, 2022
I was recently introduced to the game Botticelli. It's a fun variant of 20 questions, requiring no supplies.
posted by reren at 12:11 PM on April 4, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by reren at 12:11 PM on April 4, 2022 [2 favorites]
Would you consider passing a smartphone or tablet back and forth? There are some turn-based games (including Scrabble, if you like it, but also Yahtzee or mancala) where the virtual can eliminate some of the "too much stuff" issue.
posted by quadrilaterals at 12:15 PM on April 4, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by quadrilaterals at 12:15 PM on April 4, 2022 [1 favorite]
There are lots of 2-person card games. Gin Rummy is a favorite of mine, you can keep score or not.
Half Truth is a really fun trivia game -- it's a multiple-correct-answer thing and is therefore a really good balance even if some people are "better" at trivia than others. It has a whole complicated point-scoring thing but you could definitely leave that out and either just use the answer chips or even just write down your answers on paper.
posted by brainmouse at 12:22 PM on April 4, 2022
Half Truth is a really fun trivia game -- it's a multiple-correct-answer thing and is therefore a really good balance even if some people are "better" at trivia than others. It has a whole complicated point-scoring thing but you could definitely leave that out and either just use the answer chips or even just write down your answers on paper.
posted by brainmouse at 12:22 PM on April 4, 2022
When I was a teenager I had this book: https://smile.amazon.com/Book-Classic-Board-Games-Klutz/dp/0932592945. It comes with white and black stones. The book is colorful and has instructions and the boards you play on, and it was really a delight. I think I could easily waste away 20 more hours replaying the old classics! Most of the games you haven't heard of before, so they will both be new for both players, which is always a treat.
It looks like the "hardcover" comes with the pieces so I'd get that one.
posted by bbqturtle at 12:45 PM on April 4, 2022
It looks like the "hardcover" comes with the pieces so I'd get that one.
posted by bbqturtle at 12:45 PM on April 4, 2022
Shut the Door (or Box, depending on the version) is a board game that would be terrific for two people in a hospital setting, because it's only about a foot square and other than the dice, every moving piece is permanently attached to the board. It also takes about 90 seconds to learn to play at all, but rewards practice by learning to play better. You can keep score between rounds and make it or last or just play endless single rounds while you chat and/or watch TV.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 12:48 PM on April 4, 2022
posted by DirtyOldTown at 12:48 PM on April 4, 2022
If you don't mind buying a cheap card game, these are all good small games that hold up to replays, take up very little space, and should be available at any gaming hobby shop:
Love Letter
Lost Cities
Coloretto
Sushi Go!
Schottentotten / Battle Line
Not sure if these are still in print but also classic:
San Juan
Jaipur
Morels
posted by LSK at 12:53 PM on April 4, 2022 [3 favorites]
Love Letter
Lost Cities
Coloretto
Sushi Go!
Schottentotten / Battle Line
Not sure if these are still in print but also classic:
San Juan
Jaipur
Morels
posted by LSK at 12:53 PM on April 4, 2022 [3 favorites]
The excellent board game, Ticket To Ride is great on tablets, there's a pass-and-play mode or you can play from any Android or iOS device (but they you need to each buy a copy). It is a better experience on on a tablet vs phone, IMO.
posted by tiamat at 1:02 PM on April 4, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by tiamat at 1:02 PM on April 4, 2022 [1 favorite]
If you both have iOS devices then GamePigeon has lots of little games you play over iMessage. Some are turn-based, others are like Boggle where you both grind on a puzzle and then compare scores when both of you have time to finish it.
posted by JoeZydeco at 1:12 PM on April 4, 2022
posted by JoeZydeco at 1:12 PM on April 4, 2022
If you really want trivia, Hard Ass has a travel size version which is basically just the trivia cards. Minimal space needed.
Phase 10 is an excellent game that is played across 10 rounds where the goal changes with each round. You'd need a surface to place cards but no other pieces, and it's very easy to learn. We are a game playing family and this one is in our top 5 favorites. In the same family as Uno and Skip-bo (which would als work, if you have a big enough surface to lay the cards out.
Guess Who (there are a million versions out there) is another easy and fun 2-person game. The board will easily fit on your lap.
Qwixx is fun and different and you just need a flat surface to write on and roll 5 dice.
Seconding:
- Love Letter - easy to learn, quick rounds, few cards.
- Ticket to Ride on your tablet (like tiamat said, you'll both need to pay if you have your own; well worth it though)
posted by widdershins at 1:24 PM on April 4, 2022
Phase 10 is an excellent game that is played across 10 rounds where the goal changes with each round. You'd need a surface to place cards but no other pieces, and it's very easy to learn. We are a game playing family and this one is in our top 5 favorites. In the same family as Uno and Skip-bo (which would als work, if you have a big enough surface to lay the cards out.
Guess Who (there are a million versions out there) is another easy and fun 2-person game. The board will easily fit on your lap.
Qwixx is fun and different and you just need a flat surface to write on and roll 5 dice.
Seconding:
- Love Letter - easy to learn, quick rounds, few cards.
- Ticket to Ride on your tablet (like tiamat said, you'll both need to pay if you have your own; well worth it though)
posted by widdershins at 1:24 PM on April 4, 2022
Mancala obviously (pieces but manageable)
posted by firstdaffodils at 1:30 PM on April 4, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by firstdaffodils at 1:30 PM on April 4, 2022 [1 favorite]
My partner and I brought this to the hospital in a similar situation: everdeck It's a clever multipurpose deck of cards that can be used to play lots of existing games; good if you already know rules for things you'd like to play but don't want to lug a bunch of boxes.
Pass-and-play tablet games are great too. I like doing crosswords with a partner. French Toast?
Also good for this type of situation if you're willing to drop a couple hundred bucks: the Nintendo Switch.
posted by february at 2:22 PM on April 4, 2022 [1 favorite]
Pass-and-play tablet games are great too. I like doing crosswords with a partner. French Toast?
Also good for this type of situation if you're willing to drop a couple hundred bucks: the Nintendo Switch.
posted by february at 2:22 PM on April 4, 2022 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Set is a pretty fun pattern matching card game. Technically there's a timed element but with people who are learning how the game works I usually just see if we can find all the sets on the table and then re-deal. When everyone gets it we start getting competitive about timing. (And actually you can play a version on their site to get to know the rules.)
Quiddler is also fun. Both are available as card games. You need some space to lay out the cards but they're not fiddly.
I've never quite gotten the NYT Spelling Bee but that feels like it would lend itself well to pen and paper. Just draw today's bee (or yesterday and the day before) on a white board or paper and work on writing all the words.
Can you clip some crossword puzzles to do together?
posted by amandabee at 3:05 PM on April 4, 2022
Quiddler is also fun. Both are available as card games. You need some space to lay out the cards but they're not fiddly.
I've never quite gotten the NYT Spelling Bee but that feels like it would lend itself well to pen and paper. Just draw today's bee (or yesterday and the day before) on a white board or paper and work on writing all the words.
Can you clip some crossword puzzles to do together?
posted by amandabee at 3:05 PM on April 4, 2022
Cosmic Wimpout can fit in your pocket, all you need are the dice and pen and paper to keep score.
posted by vrakatar at 3:08 PM on April 4, 2022
posted by vrakatar at 3:08 PM on April 4, 2022
Dots and boxes is just pencil and paper,
As is ultimate tic-tac-toe.
Both great games that are technically competitive/zero sum but are very enjoyable casually and light-heartedly in my experience.
Good luck!
posted by SaltySalticid at 5:50 PM on April 4, 2022 [1 favorite]
As is ultimate tic-tac-toe.
Both great games that are technically competitive/zero sum but are very enjoyable casually and light-heartedly in my experience.
Good luck!
posted by SaltySalticid at 5:50 PM on April 4, 2022 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: CROSSWORDS! Can’t believe I didn’t come up with that, but that’s the perfect idea. Thanks amandabee—and thanks to everyone else who also responded. I now have some great ideas for other game situations.
posted by bookmammal at 6:42 PM on April 4, 2022
posted by bookmammal at 6:42 PM on April 4, 2022
The Exploding Kittens mobile game is extremely silly and fun. I don't think you can pause it, but the games only last a few minutes each, so it's easy to start a new one if you get interrupted.
posted by theotherdurassister at 6:45 PM on April 4, 2022
posted by theotherdurassister at 6:45 PM on April 4, 2022
Came in to suggest quixx and it’s sister game rolling in America. Boggle is another good one, including on the iPad.
posted by dpx.mfx at 6:55 PM on April 4, 2022
posted by dpx.mfx at 6:55 PM on April 4, 2022
I have this zip-up magnetic backgammon set, or one extremely like it, and it’s great to travel with. The state of the game survives a jostle pretty easily but not usually a zip-up-and-carry-around.
posted by supercres at 9:18 PM on April 4, 2022
posted by supercres at 9:18 PM on April 4, 2022
Reading the questions back and forth from a Trivial Pursuit deck can use up hours.
Keep in mind that for about an hour before the procedure you will not be mentally able to do anything because they will give you something to relax you prior to surgery. Also, about the time you are ready to engage in a game after your procedure, they are going to pack you up and send you home.
posted by eleslie at 1:56 AM on April 5, 2022
Keep in mind that for about an hour before the procedure you will not be mentally able to do anything because they will give you something to relax you prior to surgery. Also, about the time you are ready to engage in a game after your procedure, they are going to pack you up and send you home.
posted by eleslie at 1:56 AM on April 5, 2022
Lost Cities
Jaipur
Patchwork
7 Wonders Duel
Innovation
posted by Windopaene at 9:43 AM on April 5, 2022
Jaipur
Patchwork
7 Wonders Duel
Innovation
posted by Windopaene at 9:43 AM on April 5, 2022
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by eotvos at 12:06 PM on April 4, 2022